Raipur (thestates.news) | The Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai, in collaboration with South East Central Railway (SECR), today inaugurated a 10-day training programme for loco shed technicians. Titled “Knowledge Enhancement of Loco Shed Employees of SECR (Phase II)”, the programme will run from September 15 to 26, 2025, following the successful first phase for supervisors in July.
The training is designed to strengthen field-level problem solving, operational practices, and maintenance skills, combining hands-on exercises with theoretical knowledge. It also introduces participants to emerging technologies, including AI-based predictive maintenance and fault detection systems.
The inauguration was attended by Prof. Rajiv Prakash, Director, IIT Bhilai; Shri Peeyoosh Gupta, Chief Electric Loco Engineer, SECR Bilaspur; Prof. Santosh Biswas, Dean (R&D), IIT Bhilai; along with faculty, students, and SECR employees. Dr. Lalit Kumar Sahu, programme coordinator, welcomed participants and highlighted the initiative’s aim to minimize locomotive breakdowns and enhance maintenance efficiency.
Prof. Rajiv Prakash reaffirmed IIT Bhilai’s commitment to nation-building through industry-academia collaboration, citing research on lightweight coach designs and indigenous railway modernization. Shri Peeyoosh Gupta emphasized the transformative role of AI and data analytics in improving railway reliability and invited faculty to gain practical exposure in SECR loco sheds.
Dr. Krishna Murari, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering, underlined the programme’s focus on bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world railway operations. Prof. Santosh Biswas described the initiative as part of the vision for a “Viksit Bharat,” encouraging innovation-driven solutions and implementation-oriented projects.
The 10-day programme marks a significant step in strengthening technical expertise and operational efficiency among SECR technicians, reinforcing both IIT Bhilai’s and SECR’s commitment to skill development and technological advancement in the railway sector.(S-PIB)
